Italy is home to some of the most popular car brands in the world. For the record, there are over 30 Italian car brands, but not all of them are still actively producing vehicles today. Italian automobile manufacturers typically produce top-class, performance vehicles across different categories.
Majorly, Italian car brands manufacture performance supercars and sports cars, but, of course, some brands have got SUVs, sedans, and other vehicle types.
Hence, this article lists the current active automobile companies and brands owned and based in Italy. Some very popular names include Lamborghini, Pagani, Maserati, and Fiat.
Top Italian Car Brands
1. Fiat
- Founding Date: 2007
- Founder(s): Luigi Damevino, Cesare Goria Gatti, Roberto Biscaretti di Ruffia, Carlo Racca, Emanuele Cacherano di Bricherasio, Michele Ceriana Mayneri, Lodovico Scarfiotti, and Alfonso Ferrero
- Chairperson: Olivier François
- Headquarters: Lingotto, Turin
Fiat Automobiles S.p.A., simply FIAT, is an Italian car brand that is relatively new – founded in 2007 – but has earned a high reputation and respect in local and international automobile markets.
The brand was part of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles but is currently owned by Stellantis Italy – a subdivision of the Stellantis company.
Although the Italian FIAT brand was established in 2007, the name “FIAT” dates back to 1899. Currently, Fiat Automobiles is the largest automobile manufacturer in Italy.
In 2013, Fiat S.p.A. was the second-largest European automaker by production volume. In addition to building modern vehicles, Fait also produces military vehicles, aircraft, farm tractors, and weapons
2. Alkè
- Founding Date: 1992
- Founder(s): Achille Salvan
- Chairperson: Achille Salvan
- Headquarters: Padua
Alkè is an Italian automobile manufacturer focusing on making trucks, electric vehicles (EVs), and diesel engines. The company was founded in 1992 by Achille Salvan, with its headquarters located in Padua. Alkè’s electric utility vehicles are used in London’s Santander Cycles scheme for redistributing bikes.
Alkè is not so popular like the other Italian brands because of the type of automobiles it produces. However, Alkè utility EVs are remarkable for their performance, sustainable mobility, and durability.
Also, some Alkè automobiles are used as open ambulances in soccer stadiums. Alkè sells its electric vehicles in different countries worldwide.
3. Lamborghini
- Founding Date: 1963
- Founder(s): Ferruccio Lamborghini
- Chairperson: Stephan Winkelmann
- Headquarters: Sant’Agata Bolognese, Emilia-Romagna
Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., simply Lamborghini, is an Italian automotive company focused on producing performance luxury sports cars (also called supercars or hypercars). It’s popular worldwide. Almost everybody knows it – the famous alternative supercar brand to Ferrari, Aston Martin, and the rest.
Lamborghini also makes luxury SUVs with well-built engines – ready for any kind of adventure. But, Lamborghini’s SUVs are not as popular as their supercars.
The Lamborghini brand is currently owned by Audi – a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group. Ferruccio Lamborghini founded the brand in 1963 to compete with Ferrari models.
4. Pagani
- Founding Date: 1992
- Founder(s): Horacio Pagani
- Chairperson: Horacio Pagani
- Headquarters: San Cesario Sul Panaro, MO, Italy
Founded by Horacio Pagani – who had earlier managed Lamborghini’s composite department – Pagani is an Italian automotive company focused on producing fiber components and performance sports cars. The Pagani brand was established in 1992 in San Cesario Sul Panaro, Modena, Italy.
Pagani is one of the top Italian sports car brands. Pagani has produced several hi-tech sports cars that compete with Ferrari and Lamborghini models; this includes the Fangio F1 and Zonda models. Most Pagani models are built with Mercedes’s V12 engines and they typically costs from $2m upward.
5. Lancia
- Founding Date: 27 November 1906
- Founder(s): Vincenzo Lancia
- Chairperson: John Elkann
- Headquarters: Turin
Lancia is a top Italian car manufacturer that operates as a subsidiary of FCA Italy S.p.A., which Stellantis own. The original Lancia company was founded way back in 1906, but the current brand was established in January 2007 by the parent company.
Lancia is known for producing high-speed vehicles and holds more Manufacturers’ Championships than any other brand.
When Lancia experienced a huge decline in sales in 2010, it rebadged its cars to Chrysler for the United Kingdom and Ireland markets. Lancia hasn’t really stabilized to its initial level and has halted the production of most models; – leaving only Ypsilon, which was the second best-selling car in Italy in 2019.
6. Maserati
- Founding Date: 1 December 1914
- Founder(s): Alfieri Maserati
- Chairperson: Davide Grasso
- Headquarters: Bologna
Maserati S.p.A., simply Maserati, is an Italian luxury car brand founded in 1914. Initially, the brand was associated with Ferrari but currently operates under Stellantis. The brand produces luxury sports cars and SUVs. Popular Maserati models include the Quattroporte, Ghibli, GranTurismo, and Levante models.
Maserati vehicles are sold worldwide. Maserati will surely make the list when you count the top five luxury brands from Europe. It has established itself as a reliable luxury brand. The company’s current lineup includes a wide variety of performance SUVs, sedans, sports cars, and saloons.
7. Alfa Romeo
- Founding Date: 24 June 1910
- Founder(s): Ugo Stella and Nicola Romeo
- Chairperson: Jean-Philippe Imparato
- Headquarters: Turin, Piedmont
Alfa Romeo Automobiles S.p.A., shortened as Alfa Romeo, is an Italian luxury brand founded in Milan in 1910. The name “Alfa” is actually an acronym of the brand’s founding name, “Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili.”
The brand is said to be founded by “anonymous” investors, hence the name “Anonima,” which translates to “Anonymous.”
Alfa Romeo is popular for producing vehicles for car racing. It was previously owned by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), and now, it’s part of Stellantis. The brand has successfully completed quite different competitions, including Grand Prix, Formula One, touring car racing, sportscar racing, and rallies.
8. Ferrari
- Founding Date: 13 September 1939
- Founder(s): Enzo Ferrari
- Chairperson: Benedetto Vigna
- Headquarters: Maranello, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Founded by the famous Enzo Ferrari, the Ferrari S.p.A. company is an Italian luxury sports car manufacturer headquartered in Maranello, Italy.
It was established from the Alfa Romeo racing division as “Auto Avio Costruzioni.” The first Ferrari-badged car was launched in 1947. Fiat S.p.A. later acquired Ferrari in 1988.
Ferrari is notable for producing high-performance sports cars that competed in various championships and rallies, especially Formula One. All Ferrari models are classified as luxury vehicles; they are well-equipped and superfluously furnished. The street-legal models are notable for their high speeds.
9. Abarth
- Founding Date: 31 March 1949
- Founder(s): Carlo Abarth
- Chairperson: Olivier François
- Headquarters: Turin
Abarth & C. S.p.A., simply Abarth, is one of the highly-respected Italian racing car makers. It operates as the performance division of Italo-Austrian Carlo Abarth – founded in 1949.
The Abarth brand has produced several performance vehicles and has been owned by Stellantis since 2021. Abarth had tuned a number of FIAT models and won several racing competitions.
10. Mazzanti
- Founding Date: 2002
- Founder(s): Luca Mazzanti and Walter Faralli
- Chairperson: Luca Mazzanti
- Headquarters: Pisa, Italy
Founded in 2002 by Luca Mazzanti and Walter Faralli, the Mazzanti Automobili automotive company produces handcrafted, high-performance cars branded Mazzanti.
Mazzanti vehicles are mainly supercars – fine-tuned for ultra-high performance. The Mazzanti brand has designed exotic models, but the most internationally recognized model was the F&M Antas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Car Brand Comes From Italy?
Italy has the most prominent automotive brands in Europe and the world at large. The country is home to luxury brands and automotive companies that produce high-performance vehicles. Italian car brands include Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Maserati, Ferrari, and Lamborghini.
What Is The Most Popular Italian Car Brand?
Italian car brands are quite popular because they produce solid and reliable vehicles. Ferrari and Lamborghini are the most famous Italian car brands. However, there are many other prominent brands, including Maserati, Alfa Romeo, and Pagani.
What is a Luxury Italian Car?
Of all car brands based in Italy, only a few remarkably produce luxury vehicles. Italian luxury car brands include Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, Pagani, and Alfa Romeo. These luxury brands typically produce sports cars and SUVs.
Conclusion: Car Brands in Italy
Summarily, these are the active Italian car brands based in Italy. The brands produce a wide variety of vehicle types sold worldwide.
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